No. 14 USA Women’s Field Hockey to host FIH-sanctioned matches against No. 11 Ireland, No. 10 New Zealand

USA Field Hockey is currently scheduled to host two FIH-sanctioned series against No. 11 Ireland and No. 10 New Zealand in June and July respectively. Photo: USA Field Hockey

The No. 11 ranked women’s field hockey team in the world was one of the last two standing at the 2025 Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile in early March.

Ireland fell to No. 10 New Zealand in shootouts, who claimed gold. The win also signaled an option for the Black Sticks to return to the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) 2025-26 Pro League.

The Nations Cup is an international tournament for teams currently not taking part in the Pro League. The Pro League, in its sixth year, is about to start the European leg of the 2024-25 campaign in June.

As part of USA Field Hockey’s training and international development, as well as the upcoming Pan American games, the United Eagles are hosting two weekends of FIH-sanctioned matches in June and July.

Ireland and New Zealand are coming to America to play against the No. 14 USA Women’s National Field Hockey team.

The first of the two series is against Ireland. The Cathy Bessant International Series is scheduled for Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. Games start at 10 a.m. and are being held at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The June competition will feature an emerging field of athletes for the Americans. USA Field Hockey has had a handful of recent retirements. The organization, as well, has called up some younger athletes that have been in the USA training pipeline.

The athletes have been training with and are joining forces with recently experienced U.S. Olympians.

David Passmore, the women’s head coach, in early May, announced 24 athletes’ names, who could compete in the Ireland series. The roster will be “narrowed” to 18 athletes following trainings, according to USA Field Hockey.

“These matches against Ireland are critical in our preparation for the Pan American Cup,” Passmore said in a statement. “They will provide the athletes the opportunity to compete against a higher-ranked opponent, while also allowing the staff to assess performances, the integration of newer and collegiate athletes into different formations and positions, and measure our progress in these important weeks ahead.”

USA fell to Ireland 2-1 on March 1 in the Nations Cup. USA’s Maddie Zimmer scored within the first four minutes of the contest to take the 1-0 lead.

The Green Army fired back in the second piling up penalty corners, which mid-way through six of them, Róisín Upton landed a penalty stroke to tie the game. A second penalty stroke was awarded during that run, but it was defended.

The final goal scored in the match was made by Kathryn Mullan in the third quarter.

USA had opportunities in the fourth quarter, earning three penalty corners. But, despite their push, the fourth remained scoreless, which effectively ended the match 2-1 Ireland.

The athletes in training for the Ireland series are listed below. Athletes in bold did not play against Ireland in the March 1 contest.

Ally Hammel, who played for Team USA in March, recently announced her new role as an assistant field hockey coach at Penn State University.

USA Field Hockey roster:

Mia Abello, Houston, TX

Lucy Adams, Andover, MA

Carter Ayars, Wilmington, DE

Kelsey Bing, Houston, TX

Jans Croon, Manhattan Beach, CA

Leah Crouse, Virginia Beach, VA

Reese D’Ariano, West Chester, PA

Claire Danahy, Chelmsford, MA

Emma DeBerdine, Millersville, PA

Katie Dixon, Cary, NC

Phia Gladieux, Oley, PA

Ryleigh Heck, Ocean City, NJ

Josie Hollamon, Delmar, DE

Kelee Lepage, Honey Brook, PA

Dani Mendez-Trendler, Balitmore, MD

Caroline Ramsey, Morristown, NJ

Kealsie Reeb, Seaford, VA

Jenny Rizzo, Hershey, PA

Mia Schoenbeck, LaGrange, KY

Meredith Sholder, Fleetwood, PA

Cassie Sumfest, Lewisburg, PA

Abby Tamer, Dexter, MI

Beth Yeager, Greenwich, CT

Maddie Zimmer, Hershey, PA

The Pan American Cup comes after the second series USA has scheduled to play against New Zealand in July. It is taking place July 24 to August 3 in Montevideo, Uruguay.

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